Ethan Clarke
Plastic bracelets have been popular in waves throughout the Western world and elsewhere since the 1980s. They go by many names, including gel bracelets, jelly bracelets, shag bands, and sex bracelets. They are often made from silicone, are stretchy, and come in a variety of colors. In the 1990s, plastic bracelets were braided and sometimes adorned with beads. These were often called gimp or moondoggle.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Plastic bracelets, jelly bracelets, gel bracelets, gimp, moondoggle, shag bands, pulseiras do sexo, sex bracelets |
| Material | Plastic, silicone |
| Shape | Rectangular or circular cross-section |
| Other features | Stretchy, flat, can be braided, can have beads |
| Use | Friendship bracelets, advertising relationship status, advertising support of a cause or charitable organization, fundraising |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic bracelets with beads
In the 2000s, gel bracelets (also known as jelly bracelets) became popular. These are usually made from silicone and have a rectangular or circular cross-section. They are stretchy and come in a variety of colours. They have been used to demonstrate support for a cause or charitable organisation, and have also been used as a tool for fundraising.
During the early 2000s, gel bracelets became associated with a supposed sex game, and were dubbed "sex bracelets". According to the rumours, wearing these bracelets implied that the wearer was willing to engage in various acts, with the specific act determined by the colour of the bracelet. This led to the bracelets being banned in some schools in Florida and elsewhere. Similar stories circulated in the British media in 2009, where the bracelets were nicknamed "shag bands", and in Brazil during the 2009/2010 summer, where they were called "pulseiras do sexo".
Overall, plastic bracelets with beads have been a popular accessory for many years, taking various forms and carrying different cultural meanings.
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Silicone gel bracelets
The popularity of silicone gel bracelets has fluctuated over the years, experiencing waves of popularity throughout the Western world and beyond since the 1980s. They gained particular attention in 2003 when they became associated with a widespread urban legend that linked them to a supposed sex game, earning them the nickname "sex bracelets". According to these rumours, wearing these bracelets implied that the wearer was willing to engage in various acts, ranging from hugging to sexual intercourse, with whoever pulled the bracelet from their wrist. The specific act was said to be determined by the colour of the bracelet. This led to the bracelets being banned in several schools in Florida and elsewhere to prevent disruption and inappropriate comments.
Despite the controversy surrounding the "sex bracelet" rumours, silicone gel bracelets have also been used for positive causes. Awareness bracelet wristbands are used by wearers to demonstrate their support for a particular cause or charitable organisation. The first notable example of this was the Livestrong yellow band, created by American cyclist Lance Armstrong in 2004 to raise awareness of cancer. This trend was followed by musical groups in 2007, who sold wider, 1-inch (25 mm) silicone wristbands to young concert-goers, further popularising this form of wristband among youth.
The silicone wristbands are often seen as trendier than traditional charity pins by young people and have become a popular tool for fundraising. Both the wider and thinner bands are inexpensive to custom manufacture, making them accessible for various groups and causes. This accessibility, combined with their popularity among young people, has contributed to the enduring presence of silicone gel bracelets in different cultures and countries.
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Friendship bracelets
To make a friendship bracelet, cut pieces of floss or yarn to the length between your fingertips and your shoulder—around 30 inches works well. If you're making a bracelet with more than six strands, you may want to add a few extra inches. You can make a bracelet with as many strands as you like, but higher numbers of strands are harder to keep track of and can cause the bracelet to become warped. You can use two alternating colours or a different colour for each strand.
To make the ridged, woven look of a friendship bracelet, you'll make lots of small knots. First, decide what order you want your strands to be in, then grab the first two strands. Take the first strand and pass it over and then behind the second strand. Pull the first strand up and towards the large knot, holding the second strand taut.
You can also buy friendship bracelets, such as slider bracelets that can be adjusted to match your wrist size. In the 1990s, neon, stretchy, plastic, flat cords were popular for braiding into friendship bracelets, and beads could be added to them.
Gelled bracelets, also known as jelly bracelets, are another type of wristband, often made from silicone. They are stretchy and come in a variety of colours. They have been popular in waves throughout the Western world and elsewhere since the 1980s.
Gelled bracelets were the subject of a widespread urban legend in 2003, linking them to a supposed sex game, and explaining their popularity among young teenagers. They were subsequently dubbed "sex bracelets".
Gelled bracelets became popular for advertising the wearer's relationship status, but this was met with criticism.
Similar stories about gelled bracelets circulated in the UK in 2009, where they were nicknamed "shag bands".
Gelled bracelets were also linked to sexual assault in Brazil in 2010.
Gelled bracelets have also been used to raise awareness and funds for charitable causes.
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Rubber wristbands
Plastic paper bracelets, also known as gel bracelets, jelly bracelets, or sex bracelets, are often made from silicone. They usually have a rectangular or circular cross-section and are stretchy, coming in a variety of colours. They have been popular in waves throughout the Western world and elsewhere since the 1980s.
The silicone wristband first gained popularity in 2004 with the Livestrong yellow band, created by American cyclist Lance Armstrong to raise awareness of cancer. Subsequently, a larger, 1-inch (25 mm) wide variety became popular in 2007, with musical groups selling them to young concert fans. These wristbands are often seen by young people as trendier than traditional charity pins. They have also become a popular and affordable fundraising tool, as both the wider and thinner bands are cheap to custom manufacture.
During a resurgence in popularity in 2003, gel bracelets became the subject of a widespread urban legend, linking them to a supposed sex game and explaining their popularity among young teenagers. They were dubbed "sex bracelets" and were subsequently banned in many schools in Florida and elsewhere. Similar stories circulated widely in Brazil during the 2009/2010 summer, where the bracelets were referred to as "pulseiras do sexo".
In addition to gel bracelets, there are also rubber wristbands made from natural rubber or synthetic rubber alternatives. These wristbands are durable, flexible, and water-resistant. They are often used for promotional purposes by organizations and businesses and can be customized with engravings or screen printing.
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Plastic string bracelets
In 2003, gel bracelets became associated with a widespread urban legend that linked them to a supposed sex game, and they were subsequently dubbed "sex bracelets". According to these rumours, wearing the jewellery implied that the wearer was willing to engage in various acts with whoever pulled them from their wrists. The acts ranged from hugging to kissing to sexual intercourse and were determined by the bracelet's colour. Similar stories circulated in the British media in 2009, where the bracelets were nicknamed "shag bands", and in Brazil during the 2009/2010 summer, where they were referred to as "pulseiras do sexo".
The silicone wristbands are often seen by young people as trendier than traditional charity pins and have become a popular tool for fundraising. They can be cheaply custom-made, and musical groups have sold them to young concert fans.
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Frequently asked questions
They are called gel bracelets, also known as jelly bracelets.
They are usually made from silicone.
They are stretchy and come in a variety of colours. They usually have a rectangular or circular cross-section.
Yes, in the early 2000s, they were the subject of a widespread urban legend that linked them to a supposed sex game, and they were dubbed "sex bracelets".
They have been popular in waves throughout the Western world and elsewhere since the 1980s.
